Switch for overhead-trolley tracks.



N. WHIOHELLO. SWITCH FOB OVERHEAD TEOLLEY TRACKS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27, 1911.

1 ,OO(), 1 36. Patented Aug. 8, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO, WASHINGTON, D. 5:.

N. WHIUHELLO. SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD TROLLBY TRACKS. APPLICATION FILEDr113. 27, 1911.

1,000,1 36. Patented Aug. 8, 191-1.

2 SHBBTSSHEET '2.

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NORMAN WHIOI-IELLO, 0F MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN.

SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD-TROLLEY TRACKS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NORMAN WVHIOHEL O, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Muskegon, county of Muskegon, State of Michigan,have made a certain new and useful Invention in Switches forOverhead-Trolley Tracks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switches for overhead trolley tracks.

The object of the invention is to provide a switch construction forjunctions or turn outs of overhead trolley tracks in which a fixedtongue is employed, which is constantly and fixedly maintained inposition for use, and which avoids an open end of track at the junctionor turnout.

A further object is to provide a construction of switch of the characterand class referred to, which is simple, strong and durable, and whereinprovision is made for efliciently bracing and supporting the switchtongue when the load of a trolley passing thereover is imposed thereon.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination,location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fullyhereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, andfinally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,Figure l is a top plan view, ofan Lbeam trolley main and branch track showing the application theretoof a switch construction embodying the principles of my invention, thewebs of the I-beams being in horizontal section. Fig. 2 is a view intransverse section of an I-beam trolley track showing the applicationthereto of a trolley, such as is employed in overhead and similarcarrier systems. Fig. 3 is a View in side elevation of the end of anLbeam track showing the application thereto of a switch tongue embodyingmy invention. Figs. e, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are similar views showing variousarrangements for securing and bracing the switch tongue with referenceto its associated I-beam. Fig. 9 is a view in transverse section on theline 9, 9, Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 10, is atransverse section on the line 10, 10, Fig. 8, looking in the directionof the arrows. Fig. 11, is a top plan view of the construction shown inFig. 7. Fig. 12, is a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 27, 1911.

Patented Aug. s, 1911.

Serial No. 611,120.

transverse section on the line 12, 12, F ig. 7 looking in the directionof the arrows. Figs. 13, let, 15 and 16, are views similar to Fig. 12,showing various methods of securing the switch tongue to the I-beam.

In the usual construction of switches employed in connection with I-beamtrolley tracks, to enable a trolley traveling along the track to passfrom one line of track to another or branch line, a movable section oftrack called a tongue is employed at the junction, which is pivoted atone end and is adapted to be rocked or shifted into proper alinementwith the main or branch track, as the case may be, to establishcontinuity of track between adjacent ends of the main and branch trackbeams to enable the trolley to proceed therealong. This construction isopen to several objections. In the first place it is necessary that thepivoted tongue be accurately adjusted into registering relation with theproximate end of the track beam with which it cooperates otherwise atrolley cannot pass thereon. Again, when the pivoted tongue is inregistering position with one line of track beams it is out of registerwith the other or branch track beam thereby leaving at least one openend at the junction, with the result that this open end must be guardedin some manner to prevent a trolley from running off the track at thattime.

It is among the special purposes of my invention to avoid these andother objections and to provide a switch construction employing fixed orrigid tongues which are re tained immovably in place at a junction oftracks, the proximate end of each track sec tion at the junction beingprovided with a rigid or'fixed tongue member, the several tonguesoccupying permanent relation with respect to each other and soarrangedas to enable a trolley to pass from one section of track to another atthe junction, merely by being guided or directed in the properdirection.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown various constructions andarrangements of fixed switch tongues and methods of mounting, securingand bracing the same with reference to their associated beam ends.

In Fig. 2, I have shown in transverse section an I-beam, to which isapplied an ordinary form of trolley consisting of the side plates 17suitably bolted or otherwise connected together and carrying the Wheels18,

which operate upon and along the upper surface of the lower beam flan eon opposite sides of the web 19, of the beam, this being an ordinaryarrangement of I-beam track and trolley.

In Fig. 1, I have shown the proximate ends or junction of three tracksect-ions P, R, Q, with their associated fixed switch tongues B, C, D,respectively secured to the ends thereof and arranged in cooperativerelation to constitute a permanent switch structure between said tracksections. The tongue members each comprise a casting presenting an upperflat surface which is of generally triangular outline, and which liesflush with the upper surface of the lower flange of the I-beam to whichit is connected. A space 20, is left between the proximate edges of thetongues B, C, and a similar space 21, is left between the proximateedges of tongues B, D, for the purpose of permitting the passagetherethrough of the side plates 17, of the trolley while passing fromone to another of the track sections.

Since all the switch tongue members at a junction may be of the sameconstruction and secured in the same way to their associated track ends,a description of one will suffice for all.

It will be seen that. each switch tongue is a separate member. Thismember has a portion 22, which projects or extends beyond the end of thebeam to which it is secured, and also a heel portion 23 which extends adesirable distance along and bears against the under surface of thelower flange of the beam. The upper surface of the portion 23 of thetongue is offset from the plane of the upper surface of the portion 22,thereby forming a shoulder, indicated at 24., see Fig. 1, which receivesthe end of the lower flange 25 of the beam, and enables the uppersurface of the portion 22, of the tongue to lie flush with the uppersurface of the lower flange 25. The heel portion 23, of the tongue maybe secured to the flange 25, of the beam in many different ways. InFigs. 3 and 6 I have shown this fastening in the form of a through bolt26, and nut 27, but in this case the bolt should be placed on the centerline of the beam and the web 19, thereof cut out, as indicated at 28, toaccommodate the nut 27, so that the nut will not form an obstruction toor interfere with the passage of the trolley wheels.

In Figs. 4, 5, 7, and S, I have shown the heel 23, of the tongue securedagainst the under side of the flange 25, by means of cap screws 29. Thetongue is also provided with a central support which may be of variousforms, and secured in various ways to the beam. As shown in Figs. 3, tand 5, this central support for the tongue is in the form of a bar 30,preferably flat secured at its lower end, as at 31, to the tongue atabout the midlength thereof, and having its upper end rounded andthreaded to receive a nut 32. In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 9, thesupporting bar 33, is preferably flat and provided at each end with aslot to receive a cotter pin or key 34:, at least one of which shouldpreferably be tapered in order to impose an initial tension on thetongue by driving the same home in the slot in the su p p or t.

In practice I prefer to employ a flat supporting bar for the tongue asthereby it may be maintained more nearly within the thickness of the web19 of the beam, and so offer less obstruction to the travel therepast ofthe trolley wheels. The upper end of the supporting bar may be securedto any suitable support. In Figs. 3, 6 and 9, I have shown the upper endof said support passing through an opening in an overhanging extension35, of the upper flange of the track beam, and secured thereto by thenut 32, or the cotter pin or key 34, as above described.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a bracket or plate 36, bolted to the upper flange37, of the I- beam and having its end overhanging or ex tending beyondthe end of the beam, the tongue supporting bar 30, passing through theoverhanging end of said bracket.

In Fig. 5, I have shown the upper end of the tongue support secured toan auxiliary supporting beam 38, which, in turn, may rest at one endupon and be bolted to the track beam.

It is obvious that other forms of supports may be employed and othermethods of securing the support to the beanr may readily occur topersons familiar with the art, without departure from the broad scope ofmy invention as defined in the claims.

The weight of the trolley and its load when imposed on the projectingend portion 22 of the switch tongue while passing therealong tends tocause the tongue to fulcrum about its point of connection to its support30, 33, and consequently to press the heel portion 23, upwardly againstthe underside of the flange 25, but it is preferable that the tongue besecurely fastened to the track beam in such manner as to impose aninitial tension on the central support of the tongue. It is alsodesirable to prevent any lateral movement ofthe switch tongue. To theseends I provide a dowel pin connection l0, between the track beam flange25, and the tongue at a point near the end of the beam, in addition tothe bolt 29.

In some instances it may not be necessary to employ a central supportfor the tongue extending to the top of the I-beam track. In such casethe tongue is attached only to the lower flange 25 of the I-beam asshown in Figs. 7, 11 and 12 to 16, or partly to the flange 25, andpartly to the web 19 of the beam, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10. Vhere' thetongue is attached to the lower flange 25 0f the beam, it may be securedin various ways as by means of screws or bolts 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, nearthe end of the beam in addition to the securing means 29, at the end ofthe heel portion 23 of the tongue. Where the tongue is also attached tothe web 19, of the beam, it may be secured thereto at the end of thebeam by rivets or pins 46. In any case the upper surfaces of the flange25 and the portion 22 of the tongue should be flush with each other, andshould present an unobstructed path for the travel therealong of thetrolley wheels.

It will be seen that in each of the various forms shown as embodimentsof the principles of my invention, the fixed tongue is attached to itsassociated beam, being so applied thereto as to bear, for a portion ofits length, against the underside of the lower or track flange of thebeam, and has its working end extending beyond the end of the beam withthe surface thereof flush with the track surface of the flange on whichthe trolley wheels work. It will also be seen that the tongue issupported at about its mid-length at or adjacent the end of the beam,either by being secured at that point to the lower flange of the beam,as at 41, Figs. 7 and 11, or to the web of the beam, as at 46, Figs. 8-and 10, or by means of the supporting bar 30, 33, Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and9.

In operation the trolley moves along the track, being propelledtherealong by any suitable manner, and by reference to Fig. 1 it will beseen that the trolley can pass from one track section P or Q to theother without obstruction. The side plate 17, on one side passing freelythrough the space 20, between the switch tongues C, and B. Where it isdesired that the trolley pass from one of the track sect-ions P or R, tothe other, the other side plate 17 of the trolley passes unobstructedlythrough the space 21 between the tongues B and D. WVhere the trolley isto pass from track sect-ion P, to track section R, it should be swung orguided in the proper direction for the side plate thereof to enter theslot 21, but the means for accomplishing this forms no part of mypresent invention. Thus it will be seen that the trolley passes freelythrough the switch in any direction without the danger of running off anopen end of a track section, and without the delay or attentionnecessary to adjust a movable switch tongue.

Having now set forth the objects and nature of my invention, and variousforms of embodiment thereof, what I claim as new and useful, and of myown invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,

1. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switchtongue rigidly secured against the underside of the beam, and having aportion extending beyond the end of the beam with a track surface flushwith the track surface of the beam.

2. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switchtongue having a heel portion rigidly secured against the underside ofthe beam, and a portion arranged to extend beyond the end of the beamwith a track surface flush with the track surface of the beam, and meansfor supporting the tongue at or adjacent the end of the beam.

3. In a switch device the combination with a track beam, of a switchtongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, the heel portionoff-set from the extension portion and adapted to be applied against theunderside of the track beam at its end, and means for rigidly securingthe tongue to the beam, the extension portion of the tongue extendingbeyond the end of the beam and forming a flush continuation of the tracksurface thereof.

4. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switchtongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, the heel portionoff-set from the extension portion and adapted to be applied against theunderside of the track beam at its end, means for rigidly securing theheel portion of the tongue to the beam, and means for supporting thetongue at a point adjacent the end of the beam, the extension portion ofthe tongue projecting beyond the end of the beam and forming a flushcontinuation of the track surface thereof.

5. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switchtongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, means for rigidlysecuring the heel portion against the under side of the beam, theextension portion of the tongue projecting beyond the end of the beamand forming a flush continuation thereof, and means at the end of thebeam to engage the tongue and cooperating with the rigidly securingmeans to prevent lateral movement of the tongue.

6. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switchtongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, said heel portionadapted to be applied to the underside of the track beam at its end, andthe extension portion projecting beyond the end of the beam and forminga flush continuation of the track surface thereof, means for securingthe heel portion of the tongue against the under side of the track beam,a supporting bar connected to the tongue at the end of the beam, andmeans for supporting said bar.

7. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switchtongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, means forsecuring the heel portion rigidly against the under side of the trackbeam, the extension portion of the tongue projecting beyond the end ofthe beam and forming a flush continuation of the track surface thereof,a bar connected at one end to the tongue at the end of the beam, andmeans engaging the beam for supporting said bar.

8. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switchtongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, means forsecuring the heel portion rigidly against the under side of the trackbeam, the extension portion of the tongue projecting beyond the end ofthe track beam, and forming a flush continuation of the track surfacethereof, a member resting on the upper edge and extending beyond the endof the track beam, a bar connected at one end to the tongue at the endof the beam, said bar extending through said member, and means forsecuring said bar thereto.

9. The combination with trolley tracks forming a junction, of a tonguerigidly secured to the proximate end of each track section andrespectively forming flush continuations of the track surfaces thereof,the tongue member of one track end being separated from the tonguemember of the adjacent track end to form a passage therebetween.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of thesubscribing Witnesses, on this 31st day of January NORMAN WHIOHELLO.Witnesses:

, T. C. AKIN,

F. E. MOKEE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

